Departmental Training

Greg Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales pursuant to the answer of 29 January 2009,  Official Report, column 689W, on departmental training, which Minister took the course Action learning set-National School of Government; and at what cost.

Wayne David: The Action Learning Set—National School of Government course referred to in my earlier answer cost £250. Identifying Ministers who undertake training may discourage participation in future training sessions, acting as a disincentive for Ministers to undertake formal professional development.

Aviation

Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what objectives and sub-objectives were contained in his Department's Aviation Directorate's business plan in  (a) 2006-07,  (b) 2007-08 and  (c) 2008-09; and which of these were contained in Project Heathrow project delivery and risk reports in each such year.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Aviation Directorate's business plan for each of the years 2006-07, 2007-08 and 2008-09 included objectives relating to the delivery of 'The Future of Air Transport' White Paper. Heathrow Project delivery and risk reports refer to those objectives. The Department's business plans are available on its website.

Fisheries: International Cooperation

Mark Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent North of 9 October 2008,  Official Report, column 732W, on fisheries: international co-operation, whether he plans to make an assessment of the effectiveness of the Joint Committee.

Huw Irranca-Davies: holding answer 20 March 2009
	 UK officials have attended these meetings and have found them a useful forum to discuss potential difficulties and agree practical solutions.

Tourism: Rural Areas

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what funding his Department makes available to assist tourism in rural areas; and on what criteria such funds are allocated.

Huw Irranca-Davies: The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) does not hold lead responsibility for supporting or promoting rural tourism. This sits with the Department for Culture Media and Sport, DCMS.
	However, the Rural Development Programme for England 2007-13, a joint EU-DEFRA funded programme, provides support to improve quality of life in rural areas and diversify the rural economy. This includes support to encourage rural tourism. Over the seven year life of the programme around €38 million (around £35 million), has been allocated to this measure.
	This funding has been devolved to regional development agencies to decide how it is spent in their regions to create a sustainable countryside and communities where people want to live, work and visit, now and in the future. The funding will help business to make use of the natural and cultural resources in England's rural areas to attract visitors and create new employment opportunities through the development of the tourism sector. Around £5.8 million has already been committed by the regional development agencies to projects and programmes of investment that support rural tourism.

Metal Detecting

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether the Government plans to respond to English Heritage's Nighthawking Survey report; and if he will make a statement.

Barbara Follett: English Heritage is preparing an implementation plan to take forward the recommendations of the Nighthawking Survey; English Heritage expects this to be ready before the summer.

Children: Safety

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what finance and support her Department provided for the production of series  (a) one,  (b) two and  (c) three of the Kids Taskforce Watch over me DVD.

Alan Campbell: The Home Office provided the following support and finance for the production of the Kids Taskforce Watch over me DVD.
	 (a) Series One—No Funding
	 (b) Series Two—£400,000 (with a small amount going towards research for the third series).
	 (c) Series Three—No funding outside that mentioned above.
	 Other support
	Additionally, in 2008-09, £480,000 was given from the Home Office and DCSF to the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) to pay for the copyright of The Kids Taskforce Watch Over Me DVDs for three years supplemented by 60 training days for teachers and partners. ACPO, DCSF and the Home Office are working with The Kids Taskforce on the national roll out of the DVD.
	The Minister for Security, Counter-Terrorism, Crime and Policing, my hon. Friend the Member for Gedling (Mr. Coaker) also attended the launch of the third series at a reception at the CEOP Centre on 5 December 2006.

Crime: Motor Vehicles

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many vehicles of each type have been seized in each police force area under section 165A of the Road Traffic Act 1988 in each year since 2005.

Alan Campbell: This information is not collected centrally.
	I understand from information submitted by police forces to the motor insurance industry's Motor Insurance Database that in 2007 153, 822 vehicles were seized under this power for being driven without insurance and that approximately 185,000 were seized in 2008. The type of vehicle is not identified.

Crimes of Violence: Females

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which Ministers attended her summit on violence against women on 9 March 2009.

Alan Campbell: The cross-Government consultation paper entitled 'Together We Can End Violence Against Women and Children' was launched at a breakfast roundtable on Monday 9 March, 2009. Ministers who attended this launch event are:
	Rt. Hon. Jacqui Smith, Home Secretary
	Rt. Hon. Alan Johnson, Secretary of State for Health
	Baroness Morgan of Drefelin, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State and Government Spokesperson, Department for Children, Schools and Families
	Vera Baird, Solicitor-General
	Vernon Coaker, Minister of State for the Home Office
	Alan Campbell, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Home Office

Crimes of Violence: Telephone Services

David Burrowes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what freephone 24-hour telephone lines her Department provides for victims of violent crime.

Alan Campbell: holding answer 23 March 2009
	The Government provide funds to a matrix of national helplines which provide support and information to the public who may be experiencing problems related to violent crime. Of these, the National Domestic Violence Helpline, is the only freephone 24-hour telephone line.
	In addition, the Government provide funding to Victim Support to provide services to victims of crime and witnesses. Part of the annual Grant in Aid provides funding for the national Victim Support line. This is a telephone helpline offering emotional support and practical advice to victims who call. An annual grant is also provided to SAMM (Support After Murder and Manslaughter). This charity provides support and advice to those bereaved by homicide. Both of these are national helplines but not 24 hours and calls are charged at a local rate.

Detection Rates

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the detection rate was for incidents of violence against the person reported to the police in each month in the last two years.

Alan Campbell: holding answer 9 March 2009
	Police forces in England and Wales are asked to provide monthly cumulative data for use in the Home Office's quarterly and annual crime statistics publication. However, the validation processes relate to quarterly data rather than monthly and therefore quarterly data for detection rates for violence against the person are given in the table. Detection rates are a ratio of crimes detected in a period to crimes recorded in a period, they are not based on tracking individual crimes recorded in a period as to whether they are eventually detected.
	From 1 April 2007 the rules governing recording of non-sanction detections were revised to reduce the scope within which they can be claimed a very small limited set of circumstances. This has significantly reduced the number of non-sanction detections which has been reflected in the overall detection rates.
	
		
			  Quarterly detection rates for offences of violence against the person recorded by the police, 2006-07 and 2007-08 
			  Quarter  Detection rate ( Percentage ) 
			  2006-07  
			 April to June 2006 47 
			 July to September 2006 49 
			 October to December 2006 52 
			 January to March 2007 55 
			   
			  2007-08  
			 April to June 2007 47 
			 July to September 2007 48 
			 October to December 2007 50 
			 January to March 2008 50

Human Trafficking

Anthony Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much funding was made available to the Metropolitan Police for its Human Trafficking Unit in 2008-09; how much she plans to allocate in 2009-10; what assessment she has made of the unit's work; and if she will make a statement.

Alan Campbell: holding answer 4 March 2009
	In 2008-09 a total of £600,000 was given by the ACPO lead for Organised Immigration Crime to the Metropolitan Police towards the costs of Operation Maxim, including the dedicated human trafficking team.
	The work of the team, as part of the wider operation Maxim, is highly regarded. But the grant is time-limited with an expectation that this work will be mainstreamed into existing police budgets as part of core business.

Licensed Premises

Roberta Blackman-Woods: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the effects of premises with late alcohol licences on levels of disorderly behaviour in the surrounding area.

Alan Campbell: The most recently published report; The impact of the Licensing Act 2003 on levels of crime and disorder: an evaluation (2008) by Hough et al, found that violent offences between 3 am and 6 am had increased by 236 incidents in the first year following the introduction of the Act. These offences represent 4 per cent. of all night time offences. Overall the review found that crimes involving violence during the whole evening and night-time had reduced.
	To understand what is happening in the 3 am to 6 am period, we will undertake further comprehensive research into post-midnight drinking patterns and their impact on crime and disorder.
	The Government are determined to tackle alcohol related crime and disorder, this is why the Home Secretary recently announced a new mandatory code of practice to target the most irresponsible retail practices, a £3 million cash injection for CDRPs for partnership activities in 190 areas and a further £1.5 million for police enforcement in our priority areas.

Bahrain: Asylum

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has received from the government of Bahrain on the granting of asylum to Bahraini citizens in the UK.

Bill Rammell: The issue of asylum, was most recently discussed between the Bahraini Minister of the Interior, Sheikh Rashid, and my hon. Friend Phil Woolas, Minister of State for Borders and Immigration in the Home Office on 12 March.
	The Government have received no formal representations but the subject has occasionally been discussed at official level with Bahraini Interlocutors.

Burma: Religious Freedom

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Burmese government over the recent closure of house churches and Christian-run orphanages in Rangoon.

Bill Rammell: We are concerned by reports that the Burmese authorities have closed places of worship for religious minorities and child care centres run by Christian groups in Rangoon. We condemn the marginalisation or persecution of any community based on their religious beliefs or ethnic background. Although it makes the reported abuses no less serious, we believe that the persecution of religious minority groups by the Burmese authorities is often based on their ethnicity and perceived threat to security rather than their faith. We view the regime's actions as part of a wider deterioration in the human rights situation in Burma.
	The issue of religious freedom is within the mandate of UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Burma, Tomas Ojea Quintana, which covers human rights and fundamental freedoms. We hold regular discussions with Mr. Quintana and his team concerning the human rights abuses we believe to be taking place in Burma, and fully support his efforts. Our ambassador in Burma regularly raises the issue of human rights in his meetings with Burmese government officials.

Burma: Religious Freedom

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received of the number of orphanages and child care centres run by Christian groups in Rangoon that have recently closed down.

Bill Rammell: We are concerned by reports that the Burmese authorities have closed places of worship for religious minorities and child care centres run by Christian groups in Rangoon. We condemn the marginalisation or persecution of any community based on their religious beliefs or ethnic background. Although it makes the reported abuses no less serious, we believe that the persecution of religious minority groups by the Burmese authorities is often based on their ethnicity and perceived threat to security rather than their faith. We view the regime's actions as part of a wider deterioration in the human rights situation in Burma.
	The issue of religious freedom is within the mandate of UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Burma, Tomas Ojea Quintana, which covers human rights and fundamental freedoms. We hold regular discussions with Mr. Quintana and his team concerning the human rights abuses we believe to be taking place in Burma, and fully support his efforts. Our ambassador in Burma regularly raises the issue of human rights in his meetings with Burmese government officials.

Hezbollah

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for what reasons the Government have changed its policy on engaging with Hezbollah's political wing.

Bill Rammell: This is in light of more positive recent political developments in Lebanon, which have moved Lebanon away from the polarised and tense political scene of previous years. This includes progress in national reconciliation talks and the formation of the National Unity Government in which Hezbollah are participating. We believe that occasional and carefully considered contacts with Hezbollah's political representatives will best advance our objective of urging Hezbollah to reject violence and play a constructive, democratic and peaceful role in Lebanese politics in line with UN Security Council Resolutions.

Hezbollah

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information his Department holds on violations of UN Security Council resolutions 1559 (2004) and 1701 (2006) by Hezbollah and other armed groups in Lebanon.

Bill Rammell: The UN Secretary General reports quarterly to the Security Council on the implementation of United Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1701. The latest report issued in March 2009.
	The UN Secretary General's final report to Members on UNSCR 1559 issued in October 2008. This provided an update on progress in the implementation of the resolution and highlights areas of concern that continue to impede on efforts to strengthen Lebanon's sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence.
	All these reports are available on the UN website at:
	http://www.un.org/Docs/sc/sgrep09.htm.

Hezbollah

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  what steps he has taken to encourage the governments of  (a) Syria and  (b) Iran to prevent the replenishment of missile stocks held by Hezbollah in Lebanon;
	(2)  what steps he has taken to prevent funding being provided to Hezbollah by the governments of  (a) Syria and  (b) Iran.

Bill Rammell: We call on both the Governments of Syria and Iran to cease their support for Hezbollah, which only increases instability in the region. During my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary's visit to Syria in November 2008, he raised this issue with President Assad. We have serious concerns about Iranian support for Hezbollah. Such support is unacceptable and only serves to undermine regional security. Funding for arms supplies to Hezbollah are contrary to the arms embargo established by United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701.

Middle East: Armed Conflict

Jeff Ennis: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the  (a) physical and  (b) psychological effects of rocket and mortar attacks fired from the Gaza Strip on residents in southern Israel.

Bill Rammell: Our ambassador and officials from our Embassy in Tel Aviv frequently travel to towns in southern Israel that have been subject to indiscriminate rocket fire from terrorist groups in Gaza. They have called on schools, hospitals, families and community leaders in and around Sderot and Ashkelon to assess the impact of rocket and mortar attacks. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary also visited Sderot in November 2008, and I went to Ashkelon in December 2008. In recent months the frequency and indiscriminate nature of the attacks that target citizens has had a highly damaging impact on people's everyday lives in these areas. The extent of the psychological damage, especially to children, is clear. In addition to the psychological damage to children, the need to shelter from attacks while at school has had a disruptive effect on education. Likewise, the general disruption and physical threat of rocket fire has impeded economic growth and deterred investment. We continue to condemn all terrorist attacks, on southern Israel and elsewhere.

Middle East: Armed Conflict

Jeff Ennis: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the disruption to the education of the school pupils of southern Israel as a result of rocket and mortar attacks fired from the Gaza Strip.

Bill Rammell: Our ambassador and officials from our embassy in Tel Aviv frequently travel to towns in southern Israel that have been subject to indiscriminate rocket fire from terrorist groups in Gaza. They have called on schools, hospitals, families and community leaders in and around Sderot and Ashkelon to assess the impact of rocket and mortar attacks. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary also visited Sderot in November 2008, and I went to Ashkelon in December 2008. In recent months the frequency and indiscriminate nature of the attacks that target citizens has had a highly damaging impact on people's everyday lives in these areas. The extent of the psychological damage, especially to children, is clear. In addition to the psychological damage to children, the need to shelter from attacks whilst at school has had a disruptive effect on education. Likewise, the general disruption and physical threat of rocket fire has impeded economic growth and deterred investment. We continue to condemn all terrorist attacks, on southern Israel and elsewhere.

Middle East: Peace Negotiations

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will discuss with the US administration the likely effects of recent developments in the political situation in Israel on the Middle East peace process.

Bill Rammell: We are in regular dialogue with the US administration. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary met with both the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Senator Mitchell on 18 March 2009. They discussed a number of issues related to the middle east peace process. Both the US and the UK look forward to working with a new Israeli government towards a lasting peace in the region.

North Korea: Politics and Government

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the US administration on the political situation in North Korea.

Bill Rammell: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has regular conversations with the US Secretary of State, but they have not discussed North Korea recently. However, our embassy in Washington is in regular contact with US officials dealing with North Korea and we are co-ordinating positions closely in response to North Korea's plan to launch a satellite next month.

Palestinians: Politics and Government

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the implications for the future of the Palestinian government of Prime Minister Fayyad's decision to stand down; and if he will take steps to ensure that the Middle East peace process includes a unified Palestinian government.

Bill Rammell: Mr Fayyad is still the Prime Minister of the Palestinian government. The UK will continue to work towards a unified Palestinian government. In Cairo, on 25 February 2009, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary stated his support for Egyptian-sponsored efforts towards building a non-partisan, technocratic government capable of working productively with the international community, which would allow Palestinians to focus jointly on economic development and preparation for elections. I re-emphasised this during the Foreign Affairs Committee evidence session on 4 March 2009.

Washington

David Heathcoat-Amory: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many visits were made by Ministers to Washington, D.C. in the financial year 2007-08.

Bill Rammell: There were 36 ministerial visits to Washington DC from April 2007 through to March 2008.

Inspire Mark

Andy Reed: To ask the Minister for the Olympics 
	(1)  how many sports clubs have been awarded the Inspire mark;
	(2)  how many sports projects have been awarded the Inspire mark;
	(3)  how many projects have been awarded the Inspire mark.

Tessa Jowell: The Inspire Mark is awarded by the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) to high quality non-commercial projects and programmes inspired by 2012 that deliver achievements in sport, culture, volunteering, the environment and promoting business opportunities.
	So far, 93 projects have been awarded the Inspire Mark, of which 18 have a significant sporting element.
	This first pilot phase for the Mark has been predominantly cultural where, alongside nationwide projects and programmes from across all legacy themes, local projects across the nations and regions have been joining the Cultural Olympiad from its launch in September 2008. LOCOG will be targeting and supporting activity across all themes, including sport, this year.

Olympic Games 2012: Cumbria

Jamie Reed: To ask the Minister for the Olympics what assessment the Government Olympic Executive has made of the economic effects of the London 2012 Olympics on  (a) Cumbria and  (b) Copeland constituency.

Tessa Jowell: We are fully committed to maximising the economic benefits of the London 2012 Games across the UK particularly in these challenging economic times.
	We aim to do this through direct business opportunities from the London Organising Committee and Olympic Delivery Authority's (ODA) procurement. London 2012 expects to procure directly in the region of £6 billion worth of contracts, which will generate 75,000 supply chain opportunities.
	The London 2012 Business Network was specifically set up to provide businesses across the UK access to contracts in the London 2012 supply chains, and any support they need to compete for them.
	I would encourage you to urge businesses in your constituency to register on CompeteFor, the electronic brokerage service for buyers and suppliers. Encouraging more businesses to register will ensure that they are in the running for Games related business. To the end of January 2009, 35 businesses registered in the North West had won a contract directly supplying the ODA. This includes one business registered in Cumbria. To date; no businesses registered in Copeland have won direct contracts.
	There are also wider opportunities for businesses beyond those in the construction supply chains, such as those arising in the tourism and media sectors and through inward investment and export.
	In addition, there will be skills initiatives such as the Personal Best programme which uses Games-inspired volunteering to help people to develop their skills for work. Building on the success of London, the North West will be one of the first regions to benefit by introducing this programme.

Olympic Games 2012: Cumbria

Jamie Reed: To ask the Minister for the Olympics what plans she has to involve schools  (a) in Copeland constituency,  (b) in Cumbria and  (c) elsewhere in the UK in events organised in as part of the London 2012 Olympics.

Tessa Jowell: We committed in our Legacy Action Plan to get thousands of schools and colleges throughout the country inspiring young people through the Olympic and Paralympic values and taking part in sport and other activities.
	We are creating a world class PE and sport system, able to offer every child five hours per week of quality sporting opportunities, including a broader range of non- traditional activities. Schools are central to our offer, and School Sports Partnerships—such as Copeland SSP, where 92 per cent. of pupils now participate in at least two hours per week—are playing a leading role in expanding the numbers of young people participating in sport.
	The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) has developed 'Get Set', the London 2012 Education programme which was launched in September 2008. This provides a variety of online resources for teachers and schools to use, as well as information on getting involved in Olympic-related events, such as last year's 'Make Your Mark' challenge which involved some 56,000 young people. LOCOG has also just launched a national competition for 16 to 21-year-olds in full or part-time education to create a new design to infill the London 2012 brand, creating a new official London 2012 education logo.
	According to LOCOG's latest figures, 3,676 schools, colleges and other education providers throughout the UK have registered to be part of 'Get Set'. 300 of these are based within the north-west region, and 47 within Cumbria itself. Statistics are not collated on a constituency basis. A full list of registered schools, and of activities, is available at
	www.london2012.com/getset

Aid Distribution Mechanisms

Nia Griffith: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent steps his Department has taken to improve its mechanisms for public accountability for its distribution of aid; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: In line with the 2006 International Development (Reporting and Transparency) Act, the Department for International Development (DFID) provides annual reports to Parliament on the provision and use made of aid, and on aid-effectiveness and transparency. DFID has also established the Independent Advisory Committee on Development Impact to ensure independent, open, and transparent scrutiny of our development assistance. DFID is also committed to the International Aid Transparency Initiative, launched at the Accra High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness in September 2008, which will make information about aid more available and accessible, helping the public to hold donors and governments to account for the effective use of aid.

Overseas Aid

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what mechanisms to ensure co-ordination between countries which give aid to developing nations the UK participates in; and if he will make a statement.

Michael Foster: The UK Government strongly support and promote co-ordination among donors on both policy and implementation. At the global level the UK participates fully in co-ordination, for example through the Development Assistance Committee of the Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development and the UN Development Co-operation Forum. The UK strongly supports the 2005 Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness and the 2008 Accra Agenda for Action (AAA) which contain specific commitments by donor countries and recipients to better co-ordinate development efforts. The UK is on target to meet all Paris Declaration targets by 2010.
	In accordance with Paris targets, UK seeks to align its country programmes with partner country priorities and to harmonise and co-ordinate with other donors. This is achieved through Joint Assistance Strategies with other donors, in support of partner governments setting out their development policies and how they wish donors to provide development assistance. The UK also co-ordinates closely with other donors in co-financing partner country programmes.

Sudan: Politics and Government

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations he has made to the Sudanese government on the expulsion of aid agencies from Sudan.

Ivan Lewis: The British ambassador has urged the Government of Sudan (GoS) to allow NGOs to continue their work. The European Union (EU) issued a statement on 10 March calling upon GoS to urgently reconsider their decision, and ensure that continued humanitarian assistance to the most vulnerable people in Sudan be restored. European Foreign Ministers discussed the situation again on 16 March and reiterated this message. We have, through official and ministerial level contacts, urged China, Russia, and Sudan's African and Arab neighbours to press GoS to reverse their decision. The Secretary of State discussed this issue with regional African leaders, including Prime Minister Meles of Ethiopia, in the margins of the Africa Outreach meeting on 16 March. We have both had meetings with John Holmes, the UN's Emergency Relief Co-ordinator. The UN is having extensive discussions with GoS in country.

Quantitative Easing

Brooks Newmark: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what purposes his Department plans to use the £75 billion of Bank of England Gilt purchases.

Ian Pearson: The Government's annual financing requirement is unaffected by purchases of gilts by the Bank of England. The impact of the Bank of England's purchases of gilts, which are bought by the Bank on the secondary market, is to increase the volume of gilts that are held by the Bank of England's Asset Purchase Facility Fund (BEAPFF) and to increase cash in the hands of the entities that have sold the gilts

Departmental Training

Greg Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to the answer of 29 January 2009,  Official Report, columns 740-1W, which Ministers in his Department attended the six action learning set training courses; and how much those courses cost.

Michael Wills: My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (Bridget Prentice) and my noble Friend, the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (Lord Hunt of Kings Heath), attended the six action learning set courses, at a total cost of £1,400.

Land Registry

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice in relation to how many low value personal injury claim cases the Land Registry has authorised surveillance operations on employees; what the cost of conducting surveillance was in each case; who authorised the hiring of private investigators in such cases; and what procedures are followed by the Land Registry to ensure that any surveillance of staff by private investigators is proportionate.

Michael Wills: Land Registry has drawn no distinction between the value of personal injury claims. There have been six personal injury claims in Land Registry where controlled and limited surveillance was authorised on employees. These were all part of one overall investigation.
	The cost of conducting the surveillance in each case was as follows:
	
		
			   Cost of conducting surveillance (£) 
			 Case 1 587.50 
			 Case 2 5,287.50 
			 Case 3 10,960 
			 Case 4 7,050 
			 Case 5 8,812.50 
			 Case 6 8,812.50 
		
	
	The costs awarded to Land Registry following the successful defence and withdrawal of the claims exceeded these amounts. The authorisation of the surveillance was given by the then acting director of HR.
	In deciding to authorise surveillance. Land Registry considered the seriousness of the issue, the potential cost of the case and the impact on the organisation's core business and weighed this against the potential impact on the privacy of the individuals and their friends and family as well as the ongoing employment relationship. The surveillance was restricted to public environments, which limited the level of intrusion. The nature of this as a test case established a likelihood of high costs in the defence of the case, in payments to individuals if the cases were found proven and potentially in significant change to the organisations core business processes and the equipment used. With supporting legal advice it was agreed that the surveillance was a proportionate and justified action in defending this case.

Land Registry

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many unfair dismissal cases were brought against the Land Registry in each of the last two years; how many of them were settled before a hearing in each year; how many of them progressed to a full hearing; how many of these cases were lost by the Land Registry in each year; what costs were awarded against the Land Registry in relation to such cases in each year; and what the cost of  (a) solicitors' and  (b) barristers' fees for such cases was in each year.

Michael Wills: Seven unfair dismissal cases were brought against Land Registry in 2007-08. 10 unfair dismissal cases were brought against Land Registry in 2008-09.
	One case was settled in 2007-08. No cases were settled in 2008-09.
	No unfair dismissal cases progressed to full hearing in either 2007-08 or 2008-09.
	As no unfair dismissal cases progressed to a hearing, therefore none have been lost by the Land Registry in either 2007-08 or 2008-09.
	There were no costs awarded against Land Registry for unfair dismissal in either 2007-08 or 2008-09.
	Solicitor's fees for such cases in 2007-08 were £5,739.49 and in 2008-09 were £33,099.30.
	Barrister's fees for such cases in 2007-08 were £1,353.50 and in 2008-09 were £6,067.70.
	All 2008-09 figures are as of 24 March 2009.

Magistrates Courts: Hertfordshire

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many cases were heard in the magistrates' courts in  (a) Hemel Hempstead and  (b) Hertfordshire in each year since 1997.

Bridget Prentice: The number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts, heard at magistrates courts and committed for trial at the Crown Court, for all offences in Hertfordshire police force area, 1997 to 2007 is contained in the table.
	Information held centrally cannot be broken down to constituency or court level, thus Hertfordshire police force area data have been provided in lieu.
	These data are on the principal offence basis. The figures given in the table on court proceedings relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offence for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences, the offence selected is the one for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe.
	Court proceedings data for 2008 will be available in the autumn of 2009.
	
		
			  N umber of defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts, heard at magistrates courts and committed for trial at the Crown  c ourt, for all offences in Hertfordshire police force area, 1997 to 2007( 1,2) 
			Of which: 
			   Proceeded against  Heard at magistrates courts( 3)  Committed for trial at the Crown  c ourt 
			 1997 25,450 24,567 883 
			 1998 28,270 27,586 684 
			 1999 27,368 26,540 828 
			 2000 28,507 27,575 932 
			 2001 27,380 26,476 904 
			 2002 28,825 27,792 1,033 
			 2003 33,377 32,219 1,158 
			 2004 37,088 35,892 1,196 
			 2005 38,134 36,802 1,332 
			 2006 34,584 33,223 1,361 
			 2007 30,661 29,614 1,047 
			 (1) These data are on the principal offence basis. (2) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts, and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. (3) Includes proceedings discontinued, discharged, withdrawn, dismissed, and found guilty at the magistrates courts.  Source: OCJR—E & A: Office for Criminal Justice Reform—Evidence and Analysis Unit

Magistrates Courts: Hertfordshire

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what percentage of sentences imposed in magistrates' courts in  (a) Hemel Hempstead and  (b) Hertfordshire were appealed against to the Crown Court in each year since 1997.

Bridget Prentice: Information is only available for Hertfordshire on the number of offenders sentenced and the number of appeals against sentences and convictions from 1997-2007, which is set out in the table. It is not possible to calculate a percentage between these two methods of counting, as one counts offenders and the other offences.
	
		
			  Hertfordshire 
			   Total sentenced  Total appealed against sentence( 1) 
			 1997 18,185 56 
			 1998 20,217 143 
			 1999 20,058 142 
			 2000 20,246 143 
			 2001 19,404 121 
			 2002 20,076 102 
			 2003 23,820 116 
			 2004 26,091 118 
			 2005 27,431 156 
			 2006 25,661 176 
			 2007 23,704 153 
			 (1) Figures include appeals against both conviction and sentence

Magistrates Courts: Hertfordshire

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many trials in magistrates' courts in  (a) Hemel Hempstead and  (b) Hertfordshire did not take place on the initial agreed date of hearing in each year since 1997.

Bridget Prentice: Information is only available on the number of trials that failed to take place on the agreed hearing date in each year since 2003 in the magistrates courts in Hertfordshire. This information is set out in the following table:
	
		
			  Period  Total number of trials  Number of trials which did not take place on agreed date 
			 2003-04 3,546 2,314 
			 2004-05 3,805 2,403 
			 2005-06 5,322 3,307 
			 2006-07 5,064 2,862 
			 2007-08 4,492 2,450

Prison Service: Manpower

Edward Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to the answer of 26 February 2009,  Official Report, column 994W, on prisons: manpower, how many prison officers at each grade were there in each prison in England and Wales on 31 March in each year from 1997 to 2004.

Shahid Malik: Information on the number of officers in each establishment (public and private sector), by grade, in each year from 1997 to 2004 has been placed in both Libraries of the House.

Witnesses: Protection

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what assistance is available to witnesses who give evidence in cases of alleged antisocial behaviour by neighbours, to protect them against possible retaliatory action by those neighbours.

Alan Campbell: I have been asked to reply.
	The Home Office is responsible for the policy on antisocial behaviour.
	The use of hearsay evidence in civil proceedings involving antisocial behaviour allows witnesses to remain anonymous. We have also put in place measures to allow for the identities of those too fearful to give evidence to be protected in antisocial behaviour orders (ASBOs) cases.
	The Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 introduced special measures for witnesses in proceedings for ASBOs. These measures were introduced to address concerns about the protection of vulnerable and intimidated witnesses. The measures include screening witnesses from the defendants, giving evidence through video link or in private, and the use of video recorded evidence. Special dedicated antisocial behaviour response courts have been established in magistrates' courts sitting in their civil capacity to ensure that witness issues are addressed. Local agencies have developed efficient case management systems which includes working in partnership with key agencies to provide support to victims after court proceedings. In addition the Home Office has issued a good practice guide to practitioners on how best to support victims and witnesses of antisocial behaviour through the whole length of the witness pathway. A range of detailed guidance is set out on the Home Office's website on antisocial behaviour website.

Armed Forces: Defence Equipment

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether service members  (a) wounded and  (b) killed on operations whilst wearing non-issued body armour are entitled to compensation.

Kevan Jones: All personnel deploying to Iraq and Afghanistan are issued with a complete set of Enhanced Combat Body Armour (ECBA) before departure. Improved Performance Body Armour (OSPREY) and Enhanced Personnel Protection Equipment (KESTREL) are provided in addition to ECBA to personnel whose roles require it. These have been designed to protect against specific threats faced by personnel undertaking certain roles.
	Service personnel injured (or surviving dependents of those killed) on or after 6 April 2005 wholly or predominantly due to service are eligible for compensation under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme. All decisions on entitlement are made on a case by case basis; this is equally true if a casualty were found to be wearing non-issued body armour.

Armed Forces: Mental Health Services

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  how much has been spent on the contracting of service mental health provision to the Priory Clinic in each year since 2003;
	(2)  how many service personnel at each rank were referred to the Priory Clinic as  (a) inpatients and  (b) outpatients in each year since 2005.

Kevan Jones: The data requested relating to in-patients, up until 26 January 2009, can be found in the following table:
	
		
			   Number of patients treated  Contract value (£  m illion ) 
			 1 December 2003 to 31 March 2004 58 0.4 
			 1 April 2004 to 31 March 2005 321 4.2 
			 1 April 2005 to 31 March 2006 351 4.5 
			 1 April 2006 to 31 March 2007 305 3.4 
			 1 April 2007 to 31 March 2008 281 3.8 
			 1 April 2008 to 26 January 2009 212 2.8 
		
	
	These figures take into account the cost of assessing patients as well as any treatment programmes provided; the individual care needs of each patient will vary depending on their particular medical circumstances.
	The only specific out-patient referrals for which we contract is the provision of psychology treatment. This element of the contact commenced in 2006 and the total number of patients referred can be found in the following table:
	
		
			   Number of patients treated 
			 1 April 2006 to 31 March 2007 13 
			 1 Apr 2007 to 31 March 2008 21 
			 1 April 2008 to 26 January 2009 28 
		
	
	In both tables, individual patient ranks have not been included to ensure that clinical confidentiality is protected.
	The contract with the Priory Group has been replaced with a new contract awarded to the South Staffordshire and Shropshire NHS Foundation Trust (SSSFT). SSSFT will lead a partnership of seven NHS trusts, using facilities at each of the trusts concerned to ensure coverage across the country. This continues the community-based approach we follow for our out-patients who are seen at our regional military mental health centres.

Defence: International Co-operation

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made since the Anglo-French summit of 27 March 2008 on the aspects of defence co-operation that were agreed there; and if he will make a statement.

John Hutton: The UK and France have made good progress on all aspects of defence co-operation that were agreed during the 2008 Summit.
	The Declaration of Intent for the European Carrier Group Interoperability Initiative (ECGII) has so far been signed by nine European nations, building on the Summit commitment to Carrier Group Operations. The inaugural Steering Group met in Paris on 18 March. This is a high level declaration of intent aiming to increase interoperability between countries operating aircraft carriers or with naval vessels able to support carrier operations. There is no intention to create a standing carrier group.
	The UK-France helicopter Initiative that was launched at the Summit continues to gather momentum. The Helicopter Fund opened by the UK to support projects aimed at delivering helicopter capability to operational theatres now stands at €26 million with contributions from 15 nations. Other nations have offered to host multi-national helicopter exercises to prepare crews for deployment, to provide training courses, to donate surplus helicopters and even to supply pilots for other nations to use on operations. More importantly, the first nation to benefit from the initiative, the Czech Republic, deploys three helicopters to Afghanistan this year. Since the summit three other nations have also made a commitment to deploy helicopters and projects launched through the Helicopter Initiative will make a substantial and essential contribution to their theatre-entry equipment upgrades and crew training requirements. All this effort is very closely co-ordinated with NATO and EDA programmes to address the same problem.
	Both nations continue to discuss NATO transformation with one another and the work to strengthen EU/NATO co-operation is continuing. The anticipated return of France to the military structures of NATO has given a new impetus to these discussions.
	Ministers and officials have met and continue to meet on numerous occasions to drive forward bilateral industrial defence co-operation. Progress has been made in all the areas highlighted in the 2008 Communiqué and we continue to seek new opportunities to develop our co-operation. The High Level Working Group will be providing a report on progress to the 2009 Anglo French Summit that is due to take place later this year.
	Specifically we have made good progress with Complex Weapons. We have been working to assess the scope to co-operate on a range of projects including the potential to enter into Assessment Phases to examine enhancements for Storm Shadow and the French SCALP programme and to develop an anti-surface guided weapon for use on naval helicopters.
	The UK and France have been working closely since the last Summit to explore the opportunities for a common approach to A400M support. This work is continuing.

Iraq: Peacekeeping Operations

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence with reference to the answer to the hon. Member for Woodspring of 26 November 2008,  Official Report, columns 1552-3W, on Iraq: peacekeeping operations, how much was paid to Harlow Specialist Life Support and Logistics for photocopier hire for use on Operation Herrick.

Quentin Davies: No payment has been made to Harlow Specialist Life Support and Logistics for photocopier hire for use on Operation Herrick.
	The four-year contract with Harlow Specialist Life Support and Logistics for the hire of two photocopiers for use on Operation Telic has a total contract value of approximately £50,000.

Nuclear Submarines

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether all decommissioned submarines in Rosyth and Devonport Dockyards have been surveyed for possible holes.

Quentin Davies: I refer the hon. Member to the answer my hon. Friend the Minister for Armed Forces (Mr. Bob Ainsworth) gave on 13 June 2008,  Official Report, column 560W.

RAF St. Athan

Robert Walter: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence by what date he expects the Defence College for Communication and Information Systems to have completed its transfer from Blandford Camp to St. Athan.

Bob Ainsworth: The current estimate is for the Defence College of Communications and Information Systems to be fully operational at St. Athan by May 2015. This date remains subject to final approval of the main investment decision of the DTR Package 1 Project, subsequent contract agreement and confirmation of the transition planning arrangements.

Council Tax Benefits

Julia Goldsworthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the effect on the public purse would be of raising the applicable amounts at which households begin to start paying council tax to  (a) £116 per week for a (i) single person aged under 25, (ii) single person aged over 25 and (iii) couple of working age,  (b) £174 per week for a single person aged between 65 and 74 years old and  (c) £177 per week for a single person aged 75 years and over.

Kitty Ussher: holding answer 19 March 2009
	The information is in the following table.
	The table shows estimates of the cost and number of council tax benefit (CTB) beneficiaries; and the saving and number of losers, if the following changes are made to applicable amounts in CTB:
	Option 1: Applicable amount for single people under 25 set to £116
	Option 2: Applicable amount for single people over 25(1) set to £116
	Option 3: Applicable amount for working age couples(2) set to £116
	Option 4: Applicable amount for single people between 65 and 74 set to £174
	Option 5: Applicable amount for single people 75 and over set to £177
	(1) This change has not been applied to elderly cases i.e. only applied to those aged under 60.
	(2) This has only been applied to cases where both are aged under 60.
	
		
			 Change applicable amounts in council tax benefit for some groups 
			  Change in applicable amount  Number of beneficiaries  Cost  in annually managed expenditure  (£ million  p.a. )  Number of losers  Saving  in annually managed expenditure  (£ million  p.a. )  Impact  on annually managed expenditure  (£ million  p.a. ) 
			 Option 1 60,000 20 0 0 20 
			 Option 2 260,000 60 160,000 -50 10 
			 Option 3 40,000 10 170,000 -70 -60 
			 Option 4 150,000 30 10,000 0 30 
			 Option 5 200,000 40 30,000 -10 40 
			  Notes: 1. All figures are for Great Britain. 2. Beneficiaries and losers are rounded to the nearest 10,000. Costs and savings are rounded to the nearest £10 million. These estimates include both customers who gain/lose and those who become or lose entitlement to the benefit. 3. Each beneficiary represents a benefit unit, which can be a single claimant or a couple. 4. The impact is estimated using the Department's Policy Simulation Model for 2008-09, using data from the 2006-07 Family Resources Survey uprated to 2008-09 prices, benefit rates and earnings levels, and is calibrated to latest published forecasts and policies. 5. Results are subject to sampling and reporting errors and estimation assumptions, and are therefore indicative only. No behavioural changes are assumed.

Departmental Manpower

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many full-time equivalent staff in his Department worked primarily or solely on the Social Fund in each of the last 10 years.

Tony McNulty: holding answer 12 March 2009
	The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus, Mel Groves. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Mel Groves:
	The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions has asked me to reply to your question asking how many full-time equivalent staff in the Department worked primarily or solely on the Social Fund in each of the last 10 years. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	The tables attached at Annex 1 provide the average number of staff working on Social Fund from April 2008 to September 2008, the mid point of the 2008/09 operational year for each Benefit Delivery Centre and Contact Centre.
	The table below shows the approximate numbers working on social fund in each year since 2003/4. No data is available prior to 2003/04.
	
		
			   Staff (FTEs) 
			 2003-04 3,400 
			 2004-05 3,200 
			 2005-06 3,200 
			 2006-07 3,300 
			 2007-08 3,600 
		
	
	Historically it is difficult to make a robust estimate of the number of staff working on Social Fund alone. Although Social Fund activity was recorded on our Activity Based Modelling System, we know that for many of these staff Social Fund was only part of their work. Following centralisation of benefit processing, which began in April 2006 and was completed in March 2008, we can be more confident that our data represents people working full time on Social Fund.
	
		
			  Annex 1: Social Fund processing locations and average staff numbers between April 2008 and September 2008 
			  Benefit delivery centre  Average staff numbers (FTEs) 
			 Balham and Ilford 382 
			 Basildon 66 
			 Belle Vale 227 
			 Bradford 62 
			 Bristol 153 
			 Chesterfield 73 
			 Chorlton 221 
			 Inverness 121 
			 Llanelli 59 
			 Milton Keynes 178 
			 Newcastle 67 
			 Newport 123 
			 Norwich 99 
			 Nottingham 78 
			 Perry Barr 252 
			 Sheffield 174 
			 Springburn 276 
			 Stockton 73 
			 Sunderland 89 
			 Total 2,773 
			  Source: Jobcentre Plus ABM systems 
		
	
	
		
			  Contact centre locations  Average staff numbers (FTEs) 
			 Annesley 85 
			 Middlesbrough 165 
			 Lowestoft 95 
			 Caerphilly 73 
			 Dundee 117 
			 Taunton 90 
			 Halifax 115 
			 Marton Mere 40 
			 Lincoln 25 
			 Pembroke Dock 40 
			 Total 845 
			  Source: Contact Centre Directorate

Housing Benefit

Willie Rennie: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate his Department has made of  (a) the number of applications for local housing allowance and  (b) the estimated Government expenditure on local housing allowance in (i) 2009, (ii) 2010 and (iii) 2011.

Kitty Ussher: holding answer 20 March 2009
	The Department has not estimated the total number of applications to housing benefit assessed according to local housing allowance rules in each year.
	The Department estimates expenditure for local housing allowance by financial year rather than calendar year. Estimates of expenditure are provided in the table.
	
		
			  £ billion 
			   Estimated cost of local housing allowance 
			 2009-10 2.6 
			 2010-11 3.7 
			 2011-12 4.4 
		
	
	As the local housing allowance is being rolled out initially to new claims and those who move address, expenditure increases as more of the private rented sector caseload moves onto local housing allowance each year.
	It is important to note that these estimates are subject to a number of assumptions and estimates are sensitive to small changes in these assumptions.

Income Support: Mortgages

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether all the people receiving Support for Mortgage Interest payments at a level below the standard interest rate of 6.08 per cent. as a result of IT systems' failures in his Department have been informed of the problem.

Kitty Ussher: The amount of Support for Mortgage Interest is calculated by applying a Standard Interest Rate (SIR) to the capital outstanding on the mortgage SIR was based on the Bank of England base rate plus an additional 1.58 per cent. However, the Government were concerned that significant cuts in the base rate would disadvantage customers on benefit if they were reflected in the calculation of Support for Mortgage Interest, but not in the interest rates on their mortgages.
	Given these exceptional circumstances, the Chancellor announced on 24 November 2008 in the pre-Budget report that the SIR should remain at 6.08 per cent. for six months to help our customers.
	When the Chancellor's decision was made, we had already re-programmed the IT which governs the assessment and payment of DWP benefits to implement the 1.5 per cent. reduction in the base rate announced by the Bank of England on 6 November 2008. This was not a failure, but part of normal processing which could not be reversed without significant risk of disrupting the normal running of our IT systems, most critically the uprating of benefits—affecting many more cases than just those getting support for mortgage interest. The solution we adopted was designed to reduce the risk of disruption whilst ensuring customers received their full entitlement.
	Customers who were receiving support for mortgage interest will have received notifications generated by our IT system that their interest payments decreased from 14 December 2008. By now they should have received further notifications telling them about the increase in their benefit to reflect our decision to keep the interest rate higher than it would otherwise have been for six months.
	Guidance has been issued to Pension, Disability and Carers Service and Jobcentre Plus staff, to help them identify and correct benefit claims with housing costs that have been affected by the reduction. Telephony staff were fully briefed to deal with queries from members of the public, and to concentrate efforts on readjusting the effected cases.
	Mortgage lenders, via the Council of Mortgage Lenders, have also been advised about the situation to ensure that lenders are aware of exactly what is happening.
	Detailed guidance has been issued to local authorities so that action is taken to protect council tax benefit claims.

Jobcentre Plus: Lerwick

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many job vacancies were advertised in the Lerwick job centre in each month of 2008; and for what average length of time each job was advertised in that year.

Tony McNulty: The information is in the following table, and provides separate data for unfilled and notified vacancies to give the fullest picture of the number of Jobcentre Plus vacancies in any particular constituency. The labour market is dynamic and many new vacancies are filled so quickly they do not appear in the statistics for live unfilled vacancies, which are based on a snapshot of the vacancies available on a particular day.
	The coverage of these figures relates only to Jobcentre Plus notified and unfilled vacancies. Many vacancies come up through other recruitment channels and the proportion accounted for by Jobcentre Plus is likely to vary over time, according to the occupation of the vacancy and industry of the employer, and by local area. Estimates of the number of unfilled job vacancies across the economy as a whole are available from the monthly ONS Vacancy Survey, based on a sample of some 6,000 enterprises. However, the ONS survey is currently designed to provide national estimates only.
	In addition, it should be noted that parliamentary constituencies are often a poor match to the area covered by the local labour market. The number and range of jobs available to people within normal travel to work distances often extends well beyond immediate constituency boundaries.
	
		
			  Job vacancies advertised in Lerwick Jobcentre Plus offices in 2008 
			   Live unfilled vacancies  Notified vacancies  Median duration (days between notification and closure] 
			 January 2008 39 35 42.0 
			 February 2008 52 90 42.0 
			 March 2008 59 66 37.9 
			 April 2008 28 48 28.0 
			 May 2008 22 59 37.8 
			 June 2008 109 186 36.4 
			 July 2008 124 78 39.5 
			 August 2008 110 108 46.0 
			 September 2008 60 79 51.6 
			 October 2008 75 116 34.4 
			 November 2008 58 105 37.2 
			 December 2008 41 65 33.4 
			  Notes: 1. Data are unrounded. 2. Changes to Jobcentre Plus vacancy handling procedures have led to a major discontinuity in the vacancy statistics pre and post May 2006. Consequently, care should be taken in interpreting time-series data. 3. Notified vacancies. Monthly data on the inflow of newly notified vacancies to Jobcentre Plus. 4. The median duration (in days) is calculated by ranking all the vacancies in order of ascending duration and taking the middle value. Half the vacancies will have a duration greater than the median, and half will have a duration less than the median. For most purposes, the median will give a more representative measure of the average duration a mean figure tends to be distorted by a small number of vacancies that have very long durations. 5. These figures are published at www.nomisweb.co.uk  Source: Jobcentre Plus Labour Market System

New Deal Schemes

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in which areas he expects Flexible New Deal providers will start delivery in October 2009.

Tony McNulty: holding answer 12 March 2009
	 The Government remain committed to bringing in the flexible new deal phase 1 from October 2009. The Jobcentre Plus districts in which flexible new deal phase 1 will be implemented are listed as follows.
	 Flexible new deal phase 1
	Birmingham and Solihull
	North and East Yorkshire and Humber
	Tees Valley
	South Yorkshire
	Derbyshire
	Surrey and Sussex
	Kent
	Leicestershire and Northamptonshire
	Nottinghamshire
	Central London
	Lambeth, Southwark and Wandsworth
	Devon and Cornwall
	South Wales Valleys
	South East Wales
	South West Wales
	North and Mid Wales
	Black Country
	Greater Manchester Central
	Greater Manchester East and West
	Coventry and Warwickshire
	The Marches
	Staffordshire
	Lanarkshire and East Dunbartonshire
	Edinburgh, Lothian and Borders
	Ayrshire, Dumfries, Galloway and Inverclyde
	Cambridgeshire and Suffolk
	Norfolk
	Lincolnshire and Rutland

New Deal Schemes

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the budget for the Flexible New Deal is in each of the 14 areas in phase one of the project.

Tony McNulty: holding answer 12 March 2009
	The budgets included in the Invitation to Tender for flexible New Deal phase 1 by region are in the table. Revised budgets and annual profiles are subject to on going commercial negotiation and review.
	
		
			  Annual indicative contract package total for the period October 2009 to September 2014 
			  £ million 
			  Contract package/Jobcentre Plus districts  
			 Ayrshire, Dumfries, Galloway and Inverclyde/Edinburgh, Lothian and Borders/Lanarkshire and East Dunbartonshire 17.11 
			 North East Yorkshire and the Humber/Tees Valley 20.99 
			 Greater Manchester Central/Greater Manchester East and West 18.52 
			 Derbyshire / South Yorkshire 17.86 
			 South East Wales / North and Mid Wales 8.59 
			 Coventry and Warwickshire/The Marches /Staffordshire 17.18 
			 Leicestershire and Northamptonshire/Nottinghamshire 18.32 
			 Cambridgeshire and Suffolk/Lincolnshire and Rutland/Norfolk 15.91 
			 Birmingham and Solihull 22.82 
			 Black Country 16.56 
			 South West Wales/South Wales Valleys 9.39 
			 London Central/Lambeth, Southwark and Wandsworth 26.78 
			 Kent/Surrey and Sussex 20.37 
			 Devon and Cornwall 6.19 
			 Total 236.59

Poverty: Children

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the number of children who were  (a) in relative poverty and  (b) in single parent households in each year since 1979; and if he will make a statement.

Kitty Ussher: The available information on the number of children living in relative low income since 1979 is given in the Households Below Average Income publication, published in June 2008, which is available in the Library.
	Estimates of the number of dependent children in lone parent households or dependent children in lone parent families are readily available from different sources. Dependent children in lone parent families include children who may not be included in lone parent households, usually because they live in a multiple family household. Figures for England and Wales taken from the 2001 Census show that there were 2.4 million dependent children living in lone parent households, while there were 2.7 million dependent children living in lone parent families. Historic time series data are only readily available for children in lone parent families not households.
	Historic estimates of the number of dependent children living in lone parent families in Great Britain are available in past issues of Population Trends. The relevant issues are 109 (autumn 2002): One parent families and the dependent children living in them in Great Britain and 91 (spring 1998): One parent families and their dependent children. These are collated in the following table.
	
		
			  Dependent children living in lone parent families in Great Britain 
			   Number of dependent children (million) 
			 1971 1.0 
			 1976 1.3 
			 1981 1.5 
			 1984 1.5 
			 1986 1.6 
			 1987 1.7 
			 1988 1.8 
			 1990 2.0 
			 1991 2.2 
			 1992 2.3 
			 1993 2.4 
			 1994 2.5 
			 1995 2.6 
			 1996 2.7 
			  Source: Best estimates using trends and combined survey sources (see Population Trends 91 and 109—articles on lone parents for details of the methodology) 
		
	
	Estimates are not readily available for all years.
	More recent estimates for the UK are available from the Labour Force Survey and shown in the following table for all years between 1997 and 2008.
	
		
			  Dependent children living in lone parent families in the UK 
			   Number of dependent children (million) 
			 1997 2.7 
			 1998 2.9 
			 1999 2.9 
			 2000 2.9 
			 2001 2.9 
			 2002 3.0 
			 2003 3.0 
			 2004 3.0 
			 2005 3.0 
			 2006 3.0 
			 2007 3.0 
			 2008 3.0 
			  Source: Labour Force Survey household data, April to June quarters, not seasonally adjusted. 
		
	
	 Notes:
	1. Given the different geography and different methods and sources used to prepare the estimates in these tables, they are not directly comparable.
	2. All estimates are based on survey data and therefore subject to uncertainty.
	3. Dependent children are children under 16, or those under 19 who are in full-time education. In addition, children cease to be dependent when they form their own family (ie they have children, marry or cohabit).

Social Fund

David Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many Social Fund loans were not repaid in the last five years for which figures are available.

Kitty Ussher: The number of loans outstanding as at 31 March 2008, for loans awarded in each of the last five years is as follows:
	
		
			  Year of original award  Number of loans outstanding 
			 2003-04 300,064 
			 2004-05 380,201 
			 2005-06 555,354 
			 2006-07 1,298,484 
			 2007-08 2,305,653 
		
	
	Standard repayment terms for Social Fund Loans are 104 weeks, and in exceptional circumstances this can be extended to 130 weeks. Accordingly loans issued in both 2006-07 and 2007-08 would not necessarily have reached term.
	Overall around £8 billion in loans has been awarded since 1988 with only £38 million (0.5 per cent.) being written off to date and recoveries continue to be pursued for both on and off benefit customers.

Social Security Benefits: Voluntary Work

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what information his Department provides to claimants on their rights to undertake voluntary work and the effect of such work on their entitlement to  (a) incapacity benefit and  (b) jobseeker's allowance.

Tony McNulty: Working-age people in receipt of all benefits may do unlimited voluntary work, provided they continue to meet the usual benefit entitlement conditions.
	Jobcentre Plus provides information on the benefit conditions relating to volunteering in a range of ways including: through a comprehensive leaflet covering incapacity benefit, jobseeker's allowance and other benefits; through its internet web site which has links to advice on volunteering from other organisations, and; through its network of local advisers based in Jobcentre Plus offices.

Voluntary Work

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what restrictions to entitlement to jobseeker's allowance are applied to individuals who are volunteers.

Tony McNulty: Working-age people in receipt of all benefits may do unlimited voluntary work, provided they continue to meet the usual benefit entitlement conditions. Jobseeker's allowance claimants must remain available for and actively seeking work, continue to attend mandatory interviews with their Jobcentre Plus adviser and take part in any mandatory work-focussed activity. They are also requested to inform their personal adviser that they are volunteering.
	Provided they fulfil these conditions, jobseeker's allowance claimants may do unlimited voluntary work and have no restrictions applied to their benefit entitlement as a result.
	Unlike most jobseekers, who must be available for employment immediately, those undertaking voluntary work are allowed 48 hours notice to attend a job interview and one week's notice to take up employment. If they receive reimbursement for any expenses incurred while volunteering, this does not affect their benefit entitlement.

Eco-towns

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  what estimate she has made of the costs of the improvements to the A391 in respect of the St. Austell eco-town development;
	(2)  what estimate she has made of the likely costs of the on-site utilities to be proposed for the eco-town at Pennbury;
	(3)  what estimate she has made of the cost of the rail strategy of the Ford Airfield eco-town proposal;
	(4)  what assessment she has made of each of the base case assumptions made in respect of each proposed eco-town development as part of her Department's financial viability study.

Margaret Beckett: We are still consulting on the shortlisted locations, so at this stage in the process we have not undertaken detailed assessments. However, the Financial Viability Study, which we published on 5 March 2009 provides an initial high level assessment on whether an eco-town could be economically viable and as part of this looks at transport costs. We will consider this along with consultation responses and the further assessment work that has been undertaken when we take decisions on the final shortlist of locations with potential to be an eco-town.

Empty Property

Margaret Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many empty homes have been brought back into use since the introduction of empty dwellings management orders.

Iain Wright: We do not hold this information centrally. Empty dwelling management orders (EDMOs) are part of a wider range of powers available to local authorities to tackle empty homes in their area. We want to encourage voluntary reoccupation of empty homes but this can only work where there is realistic compulsion to back them up. EDMOs provide this compulsion and should therefore be a key component of a comprehensive empty property strategy. We are confident that the legislation is beginning to work well and local authorities claim that in many cases the threat of an EDMO has been sufficient to make owners take action to bring long-term empty homes back into use.
	We are keen for local authorities to make use of EDMOs, where appropriate, and are supporting the independent Empty Homes Agency's new guidance on EDMOs, which was launched on 10 March. The guidance is internet based and interactive and will take local authorities through the EDMO process step by step. My right hon. Friend the Minister for Housing (Margaret Beckett) provided a foreword for the guidance.
	We are also hosting a seminar at which I will address local authorities encouraging them to take action and to share best practice on tackling empty homes, including the use of EDMOs.

Housing: Standards

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when she expects the next English House Condition Survey to be published.

Iain Wright: The 2007 English House Condition Annual Report will be published in the summer 2009.

Neighbourhood Renewal Fund

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  if she will place in the Library a copy of the qualifying criteria for the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund;
	(2)  if she will place in the Library a copy of the formula by which her Department calculates Neighbourhood Renewal Fund allocations for local authorities.

John Healey: The Working Neighbourhoods Fund (WNF) was launched in December 2007 by Communities and Local Government and the Department of Work and Pensions. The Neighbourhood Renewal Fund and DWP's Deprived Areas Fund were brought together in the WNF to create a single fund at the local level.
	The criteria for qualification were published in the "The Working Neighbourhoods—Revising the Third Criteria—Consultation", published in November 2008 as clarified in "The Working Neighbourhoods Fund 2009 to 2011: Revising the Third Criterion consultation—Government Response" published in February 2009. I have placed both documents in the Library. Both documents are also available from the Communities and Local website at:
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/communities/wnf200911consultationresponse
	and
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/communities/wnf200911consultation
	respectively.
	Eligible authorities needed to meet the following qualifying criteria:
	Have 20 per cent. or more of their lower super output areas in the most deprived 10 per cent. on the employment domain of the Index of Multiple Deprivation 2007;
	Have 20 per cent. or more of their lower super output areas in the most deprived 10 per cent. on the overall Index of Multiple Deprivation 2007; or
	Are ranked among the top 50 districts with the highest combined benefit/non- employment rate.
	Local areas were only required to meet one of the above criteria to qualify for the fund.
	The formula for WNF allocations can be found in paragraph 40 of 'The Working Neighbourhoods Fund 2009 to 2011—Revising the Third Criterion' document, published in February 2009, a copy of which I have also placed in the Library of the House. This document is also available on the Communities and Local Government website at
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/communities/wnf200911consultation

Planning Permission

Julia Goldsworthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate she has made of the number of planning applications submitted to local authorities in  (a) 2005,  (b) 2006,  (c) 2007 and  (d) 2008.

Iain Wright: The numbers of planning application received by local planning authorities in England since 2005 are shown in the following table:
	
		
			   Number of planning applications received 
			 2005 648,000 
			 2006 641,000 
			 2007 658,000 
			 2008 (1)442,000 
			 (1)Quarter 1 to Quarter 3 2008  Source: Communities and Local Government Development Control returns 
		
	
	Data for 2008 are for the first three quarters of the year. Information on October to December 2008 will be published on 27 March 2009.

Property Transfer

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much was paid per home to each local authority which has opted for large-scale voluntary transfer of their housing stock in each year since 1997.

Sadiq Khan: The following table incorporates information the Department holds on gross transfer values and dwelling numbers where local authorities received payment from the receiving local authority following the transfer of social housing under large scale voluntary transfer arrangements since 1997. Exact information on payments received by a local authority from the registered social landlord for a particular transfer would need to be ascertained from the local authority.
	The values shown in the table are in respect of the gross transfer price for all positive value stock transfer where local authorities should have received a payment. In arriving at such values the Department and local authorities use a model agreed with HM Treasury to establish a 30 year tenanted market value (TMV) of the dwellings to be transferred. The TMV reflects the intended continued use of the properties for social housing: it is always less than the open market value. The TMV is calculated as the net present value of the RSL's projected stream of income from renting out the transferred stock, less its planned expenditure (including investment) stream. The precise details of payments received by LAs would need to be requested from Las themselves.
	
		
			  Local authority  Date of transfer  Gross transfer price ( £  m illion)  N umber  o f dwellings  Price per dwelling  ( £ ) 
			 Cotswold DC 28 February 1997 53.45 4,282 12,482 
			 South Staffs C 7 March 1997 42.67 5,273 8,092 
			 Lichfield DC 19 March 1997 40.88 4,921 8,307 
			 South Oxfordshire DC 7 July 1997 68.33 5,018 13,617 
			 Eden C 22 September 1997 16.99 1,510 11,251 
			 LB Bexley 9 February 1998 49.40 4,118 11,996 
			 LB Bexley 9 February 1998 34.99 4,097 8,540 
			 Congleton BC 2 March 1998 32.24 4,061 7,939 
			 Kerrier DC 23 March 1998 32.02 3,732 8,579 
			 West Somerset DC 30 March 1998 25.70 1,869 13,750 
			 Tewkesbury BC 27 April 1998 24.48 3,066 7,985 
			 Rother DC 1 May 1998 30.80 3,058 10,072 
			 West Devon BC 22 February 1999 13.52 1,446 9,346 
			 South Somerset DC 1 March 1999 69.25 8,883 7,795 
			 East Lindsey DC 1 March 1999 45.00 5,102 8,820 
			 Manchester CC Darnhill 8 March 1999 0.85 1,030 825 
			 South Hams District Council 22 March 1999 41.00 3,096 13,243 
			 Telford and Wrekin C 25 March 1999 113.37 13,081 8,667 
			 Worthing BC 29 March 1999 35.59 2,525 14,095 
			 Bath and North East Somerset C 29 March 1999 79.49 9,887 8,040 
			 Allerdale BC 31 March 1999 30.60 3,704 8,261 
			 West Lindsey DC 18 October 1999 30.70 3,929 7,814 
			 Boston BC 29 November 1999 43.40 4,871 8,907 
			 Tynedale DC 20 December 1999 33.86 3,564 9,500 
			 Newcastle Under Lyme BC 31 January 2000 54.00 9,887 5,462 
			 Restormel BC 7 February 2000 25.11 3,577 7,018 
			 Manchester CC (Colshaw Farm) 14 February 2000 0.90 600 1,500 
			 North Devon DC 21February 2000 44.25 3,293 13,438 
			 Burnley BC 8 March 2000 22.41 5,330 4,205 
			 Manchester CC Sale Estate 20 March 2000 2.35 1,655 1,419 
			 Weymouth and Portland C 20 March 2000 30.99 3,105 1,907 
			 Huntingdon DC 20 March 2000 63.40 6,650 9,534 
			 Elmbridge BC 27 March 2000 56.90 4,894 11,626 
			 Test Valley BC 27 March 2000 79.99 5,495 14,559 
			 Wyre Forest DC 27 March 2000 40.95 6,056 6,762 
			 Manchester CC Whitefield Estate 27 March 2000 1.97 1,033 1,942 
			 Tameside MBC 27 March 2000 127.50 16,446 7,743 
			 LB Richmond 17 July 2000 59.50 7,139 8,335 
			 Coventry CC 22 September 2000 49.50 20,125 2,460 
			 Fylde BC 2 October 2000 12.00 1,905 6,300 
			 Chester CC 27 November 2000 45.00 7,096 6,341 
			 Horsham DC 11 December 2000 67.25 4,650 14,462 
			 East Northamptonshire DC 19 February 2001 21.49 3,495 6,150 
			 Torbay BC 19 February 2001 19.10 2,947 6,480 
			 Staffordshire Moorlands DC 23 February 2001 19.67 3,132 6,290 
			 Calderdale MBC 6 March 2001 36.00 12,759 2,821 
			 Chichester DC 13 March 2001 78.50 5,321 14,752 
			 Mendip DC 19 March 2001 35.00 4,326 8,091 
			 West Wiltshire DC 26 March 2001 21.00 3,284 6,423 
			 West Oxfordshire DC 26 March 2001 50.90 3,643 13,972 
			 East Staffordshire BC 26 March 2001 24.50 5,637 4,346 
			 Manchester CC Handforth Estate 26 March 2001 0.37 659 561 
			 Sunderland CC 26 March 2001 219.80 36,356 6,045 
			 Blackburn with Darwen BC 28 March 2001 35.40 9,886 3,580 
			 Shrewsbury and Atcham BC 1 October 2001 63.40 5,500 11,527 
			 Mid-Bedfordshire DC 5 November 2001 31.33 3,084 10,159 
			 Derbyshire Dales 4 March 2002 24.80 3,287 7,544 
			 Chelmsford BC 11 March 2002 79.60 6,902 11,530 
			 East Hertfordshire DC 18 March 2002 32.10 2,687 11,937 
			   44.40 3,237 13,725 
			 Erewash BC 25 March 2002 38.10 5,847 6,516 
			 Reigate and Banstead BC 25 March 2002 64.00 4,846 13,212 
			 St. Edmundsbury 24 June 2002 45.10 5,947 7,583 
			 Vale Royal BC 1 July 2002 51.07 6,813 7,495 
			 St. Helens MBC 1 July 2002 28.90 14,632 1,974 
			 Redcar and Cleveland BC 15 July 2002 60.20 11,625 5,180 
			 Knowsley MBC 15 July 2002 30.66 17,090 1,794 
			 LB Waltham Forest 30 September 2002 1.87 2,242 834 
			 County of Herefordshire C 25 November 2002 39.56 5,696 6,945 
			 Carlisle CC 9 December 2002 12.98 7,198 1,803 
			 Rushcliffe BC 20 January 2003 44.56 3,445 12,934 
			 Liverpool CC Eastern Fringe (south) 23 January 2003 5.10 2,833 1,800 
			 City of Bradford 24 February 2003 70.10 24,764 2,831 
			 Amber Valley BC 24 February 2003 28.57 5,632 5,073 
			 Crewe and Nantwich BC 10 March 2003 34.10 5,515 6,183 
			 Walsall MBC (majority of stock) 27 March 2003 24.00 22,971 1,045 
			 Craven DC 31 March 2003 17.60 1,541 11,421 
			 Forest of Dean DC 31 March 2003 24.50 3,577 6,849 
			 North Hertfordshire DC 31 March 2003 27.00 8,570 3,150 
			 Scarborough BC 15 December 2003 24.25 4,632 5,235 
			 Maidstone BC 2 February 2004 35.82 6,810 5,260 
			 Teignbridge 4 February 2004 12.90 3,647 3,537 
			 Cherwell 29 March 2004 42.85 3,656 11,720 
			 Bromsgrove 29 March 2004 16.50 3,096 5,329 
			 Hartlepool 29 March 2004 3.20 7,509 426 
			 Worcester 31 March 2004 5.31 4,888 1,086 
			 South Norfolk 17 May 2004 31.60 4,214 7,499 
			 Copeland BC 7 June 2004 1.20 3,787 317 
			 Purbeck 28 June 2004 15.60 1,622 9,617 
			 Manchester (Woodhouse Park) 4 October 2004 1.50 2,344 640 
			 Peterborough 4 October 2004 46.25 9,757 4,740 
			 Forest Heath 11 October 2004 23.40 2,653 8,820 
			 Middlesbrough 15 November 2004 10.00 11,968 836 
			 Wirral 7 February 2005 49.75 13,997 3,556 
			 Trafford 14 March 2005 5.60 9,509 588 
			 Wakefield 21 March 2005 15.50 31,901 486 
			 Manchester CC (Haughton Green) 18 April 2005 0.15 933 162 
			 Halton 5 December 2005 4.50 6,227 723 
			 Tower Hamlets (Island Homes) 5 December 2005 5.38 1,260 4,270 
			 Tower Hamlets (Island Gardens) 15 January 2006 2.86 552 5,181 
			 Broxbourne 23 January 2006 36.30 3,433 10,574 
			 Stafford BC 6 February 2006 3.70 5,419 682 
			 North Somerset 6 February 2006 27.13 6,157 4,406 
			 North Norfolk 13 February 2006 34.80 4,651 7,482 
			 Kings Lynn and West Norfolk BC 3 April 2006 13.71 6,852 2,001 
			 Teesdale DC 3 July 2006 4.46 897 4,972 
			 Aylesbury Vale DC 17 July 2006 43.00 7,470 5,756 
			 Macclesfield BC 17 July 2006 19.30 5,123 3,781 
			 Tower Hamlets (Lansbury) 14 August 2006 4.18 606 6,891 
			 Derwentside DC 4 December 2006 2.30 6,884 334 
			 South Gloucestershire 12 February 2007 16.52 7,882 2,095 
			 Chorley 26 March 2007 2.23 2,813 790 
			 LB Sutton (Roundshaw) 16 April 2007 6.20 524 11,832 
			 Sheffield (Hyde Park Walk and Terrace) 11 June 2007 0.20 129 1,550 
			 North Shropshire DC 30 July 2007 6.70 2,317 2,891 
			 Watford BC 10 September 2007 24.00 4,468 5,371 
			 Rochford DC 26 September 2007 1.86 1,749 1,063 
			 Mole Valley 29 October 2007 35.00 3,170 11,041 
			 Daventry DC 5 November 2007 15.70 3,099 5,066 
			 Fenland DC 5 November 2007 41.60 3,670 11,335 
			 Braintree DC 12 November 2007 25.60 7,644 3,349 
			 Harborough DC 3 December 2007 7.50 2,118 3,541 
			 Torridge DC 10 December 2007 0.60 2,354 255 
			 Wellingborough BC 10 December 2007 3.00 4,548 659 
			 Bracknell Forest BC 11 February 2008 34.50 6,690 5,156 
			 South Northamptonshire Council 17 March 2008 15.00 2,894 5,183 
			 Three Rivers DC 19 March 2008 26.60 3,807 6,987 
			 LB Lewisham (Grove Park) 7 July 2008 1.00 1,099 910 
			 Blaby District Council 3 November 2008 2.90 2,126 1,364

Unitary Councils: Coastal Areas

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what recent assessment she has made of the performance of unitary authorities in which seaside and coastal towns are located.

John Healey: The Audit Commission is responsible for assessing English councils' performance and the services they provide (such as housing, environment, benefits and culture as well as cross cutting issues like regeneration and community safety) through the Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA) system. CPA provides local people with a report card of how their council is performing overall compared to other councils. It measures a range of information such as performance levels, inspection and audit reports, corporate governance and self-assessment by the council to reach a single judgment.
	The 2008 CPA results for single tier and county councils were published by the Audit Commission on 5 March; scores for individual authorities can be found on the Commission's website:
	http://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/cpa/stcc/stccscores.asp
	CPA will be replaced by Comprehensive Area Assessment (CAA) from 1 April 2009 as part of the new local performance framework. CAA will apply to all outcomes delivered by local authorities acting alone or in partnership, unlike CPA which focussed on services provided by individual councils.

Coal-fired Power Stations

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the Answer of 17 March 2009 to the hon. Member for Wealden,  Official Report, columns 998-99W, on departmental public consultation, if he will defer any decisions on applications for new coal-fired power stations until the completion of his Department's consultation on a new framework for coal-fired power stations.

Mike O'Brien: Decisions on any applications for new coal-fired power stations, including the only current application (by E.ON UK plc for consent under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 for a 1600 MW coal fired power station at Kingsnorth) will follow the conclusion of both the consultation on carbon capture readiness and the planned new consultation on a new framework for coal-fired power stations.

Departmental Lost Property

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether officials in his Department who have lost laptops that were the property of his Department in the last 12 months have been charged the full value of replacement.

Mike O'Brien: The Department currently uses IT equipment and services including laptop computers provided by the Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform and the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs.

Departmental Training

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether his Department has provided voice coaching to any of its employees in the last 12 months.

Mike O'Brien: The Department of Energy and Climate Change has been formed by bringing together work previously covered by the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform and the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. There are no centrally co-ordinated or funded voice coaching programmes provided for its employees. Funding for some learning and development is delegated to local business units. A disproportionate cost would be incurred in maintaining a central record of these activities.

Electric Vehicles

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will take steps to ensure that electrically-powered cars and other vehicles have ready access to electric points for charging batteries.

Jim Fitzpatrick: I have been asked to reply.
	The Department for Transport has provided grants, through the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Grant Programme (AFIGP), to support the installation of re-charging infrastructure, through the Energy Saving Trust.
	So far, 82 re-charging points have been installed with Government support. A number of private companies and local authorities have also installed re-charging points as well. We are currently negotiating with the EU to seek approval to extend the AFIGP.
	On 15 January, the Secretary of State for Transport also announced £250 million to promote the take-up, and commercialisation within the UK, of ultra, low emission road vehicles. We anticipate that a small proportion of this funding will be used to support infrastructure for electric and plug in hybrid electric cars.

Electricity Generation

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment the Government has made of the potential contribution of broadband communications to the development of a smart grid electricity network.

Mike O'Brien: The 'smart grid' concept could potentially encompass a range of technologies including advanced communications and information management systems, advanced metering and automated control technologies, that would enable greater active management of the supply and demand on the networks. The Government have already announced a roll-out of smart meters to all homes with an indicative timetable for completion of end 2020. Suppliers will also be required to roll out advanced smart meters to larger businesses over the next five years.
	We are supportive of new proposals by Ofgem under its current Electricity Distribution Price Control Review that seek to encouraging network operators to undertake greater innovation and trialling of new technologies and to develop new ways of operating their networks that might be needed in the future. These new proposals are in addition to the existing Innovation Funding Incentive and Registered Power Zone schemes which were introduced in 2005 to encourage innovative technical solutions.

Renewable Energy: Finance

Greg Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what the budget for the Renewables Advisory Board in  (a) 2008-09 and  (b) each of the next five financial years is.

Mike O'Brien: The budget for the RAB for the financial year 2008-09 is £301,366.
	Budgets are currently being reviewed for the Department and the RAB annual budget for future years are yet to be allocated.

Accident and Emergency Departments

Derek Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients were treated in accident and emergency departments in England and Wales in each month since January 2007.

Ben Bradshaw: Information is not available in the format requested, as data on the number of patients attending accident and emergency (A&E) departments is published quarterly via the Department's QMAE dataset, and only covers England.
	The following table shows the number of attendances at major A&E departments in England for each quarter for the time period requested.
	
		
			  Attendances at major accident and emergency departments, England, Q4 2006-07 to 03 2008-09 
			   Quarter  Attendances 
			 2006-07 4 3,292,269 
			 2007-08 1 3,462,893 
			 2007-08 2 3,397,889 
			 2007-08 3 3,305,222 
			 2007-08 4 3,227,550 
			 2008-09 1 3,422,326 
			 2008-09 2 3,363,031 
			 2008-09 3 3,351,365 
			  Source: Department of Health dataset QMAE

Hospitals: Children

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for South Cambridgeshire of 10 March 2009,  Official Report, column 377W, on hospitals: children, how many children aged  (a) under 10 years and  (b) 10 years and over were admitted to hospital with a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes in each year since 1997-98.

Ann Keen: Data for the number of children admitted to hospital with type 2 diabetes is not available. However, the following table represents the counts of total admissions of children to hospital due to type two diabetes (a child may be admitted on more than one occasion).
	
		
			  Count of finished admission episodes where primary diagnosis is non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus for under 10 years and 10 to 18 years from 1997-98 to 2007-08 in English national health service hospitals and English NHS commissioned activity in the independent sector 
			   Under 10 years  10 to 18 years 
			 1997-98 25 88 
			 1998-99 34 70 
			 1999-2000 36 85 
			 2000-01 32 68 
			 2001-02 45 100 
			 2002-03 32 116 
			 2003-04 34 154 
			 2004-05 39 161 
			 2005-06 40 159 
			 2006-07 32 141 
			 2007-08 29 181 
			  Notes:  Finished admission episodes A finished admission episode is the first period of inpatient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. Finished admission episodes are counted against the year in which the admission episode finishes. Admissions do not represent the number of inpatients, as a person may have more than one admission within the year.  Primary diagnosis The primary diagnosis is the first of up to 20 (14 from 2002-03 to 2006-07 and seven prior to 2002-03) diagnosis fields in the Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) data set and provides the main reason why the patient was admitted to hospital.  Assessing growth through time HES figures are available from 1989-90 onwards. The quality and coverage of the data have improved over time. These improvements in information submitted by the NHS have been particularly marked in the earlier years and need to be borne in mind when analysing time series. Some of the increase in figures for later years (particularly 2006-07 onwards) may be due to the improvement in the coverage of independent sector activity. Changes in NHS practice also need to be borne in mind when analysing time series. For example, a number of procedures may now be undertaken in outpatient settings and may no longer be accounted for in the HES data. This may account for any reductions in activity over time.  Ungrossed data Figures have not been adjusted for shortfalls in the data, i.e. the data are ungrossed.  Source: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), The NHS Information Centre for health and social care

NHS: Counselling

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what professional counselling his Department provides for NHS employees suffering from psychological illness;
	(2)  how many members of staff from the NHS were absent from work for at least  (a) 30,  (b) 50 and  (c) 99 days as a result of psychological illness in each of the last five years;
	(3)  how many staff have left the NHS as a result of psychological illness in each of the last five years.

Ann Keen: National health service employees are employed by individual NHS bodies such as NHS trusts and NHS foundation trusts. These autonomous employers have a legal responsibility for ensuring the health and well-being of their staff. This includes providing any appropriate professional counselling or other occupational health support to employees with psychological or mental health problems.
	Specific guidance on this was issued to the service by NHS Employers (part of the NHS Confederation), in line with the Department's policy, in "the healthy workplaces handbook in 2007".
	The broad responsibility is underscored within the recently published NHS Constitution which includes a pledge to staff that "The NHS commits to provide support and opportunities for staff to maintain their health, well-being and safety".
	On the numbers of staff absent on the grounds of psychological illness and leaving the NHS as a result of psychological illness, the information requested is not available centrally. However, the number of people granted ill-health retirement from the NHS in the last five years is shown in the following table together with the numbers of acceptances for ill-health retirement on psychiatric grounds.
	
		
			  Year ending 31 March  Total number of ill health retirements  Number of acceptances for ill health retirement on psychiatric grounds 
			 2003 3,462 657 
			 2004 3,374 558 
			 2005 2,954 408 
			 2006 2,590 379 
			 2007 2,422 391 
			 2008 2,201 249 
			  Source: NHS Pensions

Departmental Written Questions

Shailesh Vara: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform on how many occasions in the last 12 months Ministers in his Department have used their discretion to rule that a parliamentary question for written answer should be answered because it would be in the public interest to do so, even though to do so would exceed the disproportionate cost threshold of £700.

Patrick McFadden: Information relating to Ministers' consideration of parliamentary questions is not held in the format requested. As a general principle, the Department aims to provide as much information as possible when answering written questions and would consider providing an answer, even were it to exceed the disproportionate cost threshold, where Ministers consider it to be in the public interest.
	In a ministerial written statement on 8 December 2008,  Official Report, column 24WS, the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, my hon. Friend the Member for Wallasey (Angela Eagle) informed the House that the disproportionate cost threshold increased to £750 with effect from 3 December 2008.

Fire Services: Working Hours

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what recent discussions he has had with the European Commission on the effects of the individual opt-out from the European Working Time Directive on the working practices of  (a) junior hospital doctors and  (b) part-time firemen; and if he will make a statement.

Patrick McFadden: The UK Government recognise the importance of the individual's right to opt-out of the 48 hour working week as set by the Working Time Directive. It is a right that many workers choose to exercise and an essential part of the UK's labour market flexibility. We remain firmly of the view that workers should be able to work longer hours should they choose to do so and so, through council, are pressing this point during the formal conciliation discussions with the European Parliament.
	I am aware of the widespread concern on this issue among retained firefighters, and officials both from this Department and the Department for Communities and Local Government have worked very closely with the Retained Firefighters' Union and will continue to keep them informed throughout the negotiations.
	The individual opt out is pertinent to the NHS workforce and we continue to work closely with the Department of Health and will continue to keep them informed also.

Post Offices

Lorely Burt: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform pursuant to the Statement of 16 December 2008,  Official Report, columns 964-66, on Royal Mail, what recent discussions the Secretary of State has had with Ministerial colleagues on providing more services through the Post Office network.

Patrick McFadden: My right hon. and noble Friend the Secretary of State recently chaired an interdepartmental ministerial meeting to examine potential new business opportunities for the Post Office across Government.

Trade Unions

David Drew: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform if he will take steps to encourage people to join trades unions.

Patrick McFadden: The Government value the role which trade unions can play at the workplace, but it sees recruitment as a matter for trade unions themselves to organise.

Children: Day Care

Fraser Kemp: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many childcare places there were in Houghton and Washington East constituency in  (a) 1997 and  (b) 2008.

Beverley Hughes: The information requested is not available by parliamentary constituency. The following tables show the number of child care places in Sunderland local authority for 1997 and 2008.
	
		
			  Table 1: Number( 1,2,3)  of day care places for children under eight years of age by type of provider, Sunderland local authority area, position at 31 March 1997 
			  Type of provider  Number 
			 Day nurseries 700 
			 Playgroups and pre-schools 500 
			 Childminders n/a 
			 Out of school clubs 300 
			 Holiday schemes 200 
			   
			 Total (4)1,700 
			 n/a = not available (1) Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10 if under 100, and to the nearest 100 if over 100. (2) Data Source: Children's Day Care Facilities Survey. (3) Figures may not add up to total due to rounding. (4) Figure excludes childminders. 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2: Number( 1,2,3 ) of registered child care places for children under eight years of age by type of care, Sunderland local authority area, position at 31 March 2008 
			  Type of care  Number 
			 Full day care 2,800 
			 Sessional day care 100 
			 Childminders 1,300 
			 Out of school day care 1,700 
			 Crèche day care 300 
			   
			 Total 6,200 
			 (1) Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10 if under 100, and to the nearest 100 if over 100. (2) Data Source: Ofsted. (3) Figures may not add up to total due to rounding. 
		
	
	Since 2003 Ofsted has been responsible for the registration and inspection of child care providers. Ofsted have produced figures on the numbers of registered child care providers and places on a quarterly basis from March 2003. Their latest figures were published in their report 'Registered Childcare Providers and Places, August 2008', which is available on their website
	www.Ofsted.gov.uk/

Educational Psychologists

Geoffrey Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what arrangements his Department has in place for the long-term training and funding of educational psychologists.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: Educational psychologists (EPs) are local authority employees. It is for individual local authorities to determine, in the light of their assessment of needs and their own circumstances, the number of EPs required and their input in terms of training costs, placements, and eventual deployment.
	The Children's Workforce Development Council (CWDC) is working with interested parties in order to develop a long-term and sustainable, employer-led funding and training scheme, while administering the current training arrangements. In doing so, the CWDC will continue actively to seek the views and engagement of all key stakeholders, through its Educational Psychology National Forum, and carefully examine options for future funding while working with local authorities to secure their agreement to pay into the current subscription scheme.
	To assist this process, the CWDC have commissioned a workforce development model to support future planning. This will be used to help decide the number of training places needed nationally and regionally for the 2010/11 intake of students.
	Further research into the role of EPs in the children's workforce of the future is also being commissioned to inform planning.

Foundation Schools

Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families under what circumstances the Secretary of State can intervene to order the closure of a foundation school; and if he will make a statement.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: The Secretary of State may intervene to direct the closure of a foundation school only where Ofsted has placed the school in special measures. This direction must be following consultation with the local authority, the governing body of the school and the appropriate appointing body, the appropriate diocesan authority for a Church of England or Roman Catholic school or the person who appoints the foundation governors for other foundation schools. Where a school is not in special measures proposals for the closure of a foundation school would be brought forward and decided under local decision-making arrangements

Primary Education: Greater London

David Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how much was spent per pupil in primary education in  (a) the London Borough of Bexley,  (b) the London Borough of Greenwich and  (c) the London Borough of Bromley in 2008-09.

Jim Knight: The available information on how much was spent per pupil in primary education in the London boroughs of Bexley, Greenwich and Bromley is for 2007-08 and these are shown in the following table. The information for 2008-09 is due to be submitted to the Department by 25 August 2009.
	
		
			   School based expenditure per pupil by local authority maintained primary schools (£ per pupil) 
			 England 3,580 
			 Bexley 3,440 
			 Bromley 3,300 
			 Greenwich 4,440 
			  Notes: 1. School based expenditure includes only revenue expenditure incurred directly by the schools. This includes the pay of teachers and school-based support staff, school premises costs, books and equipment, and certain other supplies and services, less any capital items funded from recurrent spending and income from sales, fees and charges and rents and rates. This excludes the central cost of support services such as home to school transport, local authority administration and the financing of capital expenditure. 2. Pupil numbers include only those pupils attending local authority maintained primary schools and are drawn from the DCSF Schools Census adjusted to be on a financial year basis. 3. Figures are rounded to the nearest £10. 4. Cash terms figures as reported by local authorities as at 18 March 2008.

Schools: Closures

Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families pursuant to the answer of 4 March 2009,  Official Report, column 1685W, on schools: closures, which schools have closed; in which year each closed; and in which local authority area each was located.

Jim Knight: The following table sets out which schools have closed in each year since 2000, and the local authority area in which the schools are located.
	
		
			  Rural school closures since 2000 
			  Local authority  School name 
			  2000  
			 Lancashire Gisburn Forest Tosside Parochial VC School 
			 Leicestershire Tilton CE Primary School 
			   
			  2001  
			 Rutland Ferrers Primary School 
			   
			  2002  
			 East Riding of Yorkshire Beverley Walkergate Infant School 
			 Herefordshire Wormbridge C of E Primary School 
			 Shropshire Chelmarsh C of E Primary School 
			 Warrington St. Oliver Plunkett Catholic Primary School 
			 York, City of Oaken Grove Primary School 
			   
			  2003  
			 Bedfordshire Colmworth C of E VC Lower School—Bedfordshire 
			 Cheshire Neston St. Mary's 
			 East Riding of Yorkshire Bewholme Primary School 
			 Northumberland Kirknewton CE VA First School 
			 Nottinghamshire Rufford Community Comprehensive School 
			 Worcestershire Pensax C of E Primary School 
			   
			  2004  
			 Cheshire Ashley CE Primary School 
			 Cornwall Tresillian Infant School 
			 Cumbria St. Cuthbert's CE (VC) Primary School 
			 Cumbria Lowick C of E School 
			 Durham Haswell Primary School 
			 East Riding of Yorkshire Withernwick Primary School 
			 Lincolnshire Goodfellow's C of E Primary School 
			 Suffolk Gazeley CE VC Primary School 
			 Wiltshire St. Mary's C of E Primary School 
			 Wiltshire Nadder Middle School 
			 Wiltshire Leigh C of E Primary School 
			   
			  2005  
			 Cumbria Bampton Endowed (VA) Primary School 
			 Herefordshire St. Mary's of Hope C of E Primary School 
			 Lincolnshire North Kyme Primary School 
			 Northamptonshire Barnwell CE (A) Primary School 
			 Northumberland Byrness First School 
			 Northumberland Lowgate First School 
			 Northumberland Horncliffe First School 
			 Wiltshire Wilton CE Middle School 
			 Wiltshire Farley All Saints Church of England VA School 
			 Wiltshire Maud Heath County Primary School 
			   
			  2006  
			 Cheshire Buerton Primary School 
			 Cumbria Satterthwaite and Rusland CE (VC) Primary 
			 Kent Doddington Primary School 
			 Lincolnshire St. Luke's Church of England Primary School 
			 Norfolk The Douglas Bader School, RAF Coltishall 
			 North Yorkshire Womersley Church of England VC Primary School 
			 Somerset Northmoor Green Community Primary School 
			 Staffordshire St. Mildred's CE (VA) Primary School 
			 Staffordshire St. John the Baptist (VA) Catholic Primary School 
			 Wiltshire Redlynch Church of England VA Primary School 
			   
			  2007  
			 Cornwall Lanreath C of E VC Primary School 
			 Devon Chawleigh Primary School 
			 Gloucestershire Twigworth Church of England Primary School 
			 Herefordshire Brilley Church of England Primary School 
			 Kent The Ripple School 
			 Kent Hothfield Village Primary School 
			 Kent Detling C of E Primary School 
			 Lincolnshire Rippingale Church of England Primary School 
			 North Yorkshire Sutton-under-Whitestonecliffe C of E VC Primary School 
			 North Yorkshire Langcliffe Community Primary School 
			 Nottinghamshire Colston Bassett Primary School 
			 Staffordshire Our Lady's Catholic Primary School 
			 Wiltshire Avebury C of E Primary School 
			 Wiltshire Corsley C of E Primary School 
			   
			  2008  
			 Bolton Scot Lane End C of E Primary School 
			 Cheshire Harthill Primary School 
			 Cheshire Dunham Hill Primary School 
			 Cumbria Lochinvar Community Secondary School 
			 Derbyshire Apperknowle Community Primary School 
			 Durham Hamsteels Primary School 
			 Gloucestershire Joys Green Primary School 
			 Kent Dunkirk Village School 
			 North Yorkshire Low Bentham Community Primary School 
			 Northumberland Chatton Church of England First School 
			 Nottinghamshire Besthorpe Primary School 
			 Shropshire Childs Ercall C of E Primary School 
			 Suffolk Cookley and Walpole C of E VC Primary School 
		
	
	The tables show closures where the schools ceased to be maintained and were not replaced. There are other circumstances involving school closure which have been excluded from the table because replacement provision was established, for example in the case of a change to a school's religious character or an amalgamation of an infant and junior school to form a primary school.
	Figures given in an earlier response differ slightly to those given in the following tables. Some double counting of secondary school closures meant a higher number of closures were previously recorded.

Social Workers: Children

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families when he plans to introduce a children's social work postgraduate qualification for experienced children's social workers.

Beverley Hughes: Lord Laming's report recommends the introduction of a fully-funded, practice-focused children's social work postgraduate qualification for experienced children's social workers. The Government are committed to ensuring social work is a high quality, high status profession committed to excellent practice and respected by clients and the wider public. We agree with lord laming that social work should become a Masters-level profession. We expect this to be an important element of the long-term and comprehensive reform programme for social work which will be informed by the advice of the Social Work Task Force and which we will set out in the autumn.
	In immediate response to Lord Laming's recommendations, we have asked the General Social Care Council (GSCC) and the Children's Workforce Development Council (CWDC) to work together to define and consult on the content and implementation of a practice-based Masters for qualified children and families social workers.
	This work builds on our current investment of over £73 million to improve the quality of social worker training, tackle recruitment and retention shortages and to improve the quality of practice and leadership.

Departmental Correspondence

Andrew Turner: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many letters from hon. Members were received by  (a) the Prime Minister's Office and  (b) the Cabinet Office in (i) January and (ii) February 2009; and how many letters from hon. Members received in 2008 were responded to (A) in less than two weeks, (B) in between two weeks and one month, (C) in between one and two months and (D) in over two months.

Tom Watson: The Cabinet Office, on an annual basis, publishes a report to Parliament on the performance of Departments in replying to Members correspondence. The report for 2008 will be published shortly.

Government Departments: Data Protection

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what assistance his Department has given to other departments in the investigation of unauthorised disclosures of information in the last 12 months.

Tom Watson: In the last 12 months, the Cabinet Office has provided advice and assistance to a number of Government Departments on matters relating to policy and practice concerning the investigation of unauthorised disclosures of information, as well as making investigators available from the central list that we manage.